Sir, – I find Des Hanafin’s letter (May 30th) objectionable. He claims there is no moral or scientific reason to legislate for the X case and goes on to reference a referendum result to bolster his argument.
As long as the pro-life lobby ignore the fact that some pregnant women are suicidal, that the Constitution recognises suicide as a threat to the life of a mother and that the Irish people have spoken on the issue twice, they will continue to show their true, undemocratic colours.
The only honest and moral way for their aims to be achieved is by referendum. I suggest they are avoiding this course because they believe the majority of the population favour a more liberal law. Is denying our people the right to clear laws of their own choosing moral? – Yours, etc,
DANNY RAFFERTY ,
Lough Derg Road,
Raheny, Dublin 5.
Sir, – Brendan Butler’s reply (May 31st) to Anthony Murphy’s article (May 27th) shows his lack of knowledge of church history when stating that the Eucharist existed before the “age of Inquisition.” While in no way wishing to open up another can of problematical worms on your page, it has been noted that the Roman and Spanish Inquisitions were viewed by the accused as more preferable than those run by the prevailing secular powers.
He also suggests that excommunication isn’t compatible with the Gospel, when St Paul states that it can be used in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; I think that St Paul wins that argument! – Yours, etc,
Fr JOHN McCALLION, MPhil,
Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, Co Tyrone.